poker -- not just a game
So recently there's this poker match on tv that they've been covering on almost all the news reports. It's a pretty important game, involving 2 of the best players in the world; this game will determine who's #1. Anyway, there's 3 players in this game, an american, a brit, and some guy from the middle east in this grudge match. It's fun to watch, because you get to see bluffing tactics and players provoking eachother. In this particular game, the american and middle east guy are ranked almost the same, while the brit is like a wannabe, he got in by fluking a win in the semi's.

The brit guy sort of just rides the american's coat-tails. He never raises or folds, he just keeps calling. The game goes like forever, when the dealer tells asks them how many cards they want, they can sit there and decide all day, there's no time limit.

The middle east guy has been known to cheat, like hiding cards up his sleeve, that sort of thing. But he played it straight for the past few seasons because he was eager to beat the american guy, who took over #1 during the middle east guy's hiatus from the "sport". Also, everyone hates the middle east guy because his poker face is one of a smirk. He just looks at the american smugly, and sometimes he flashes the identity of his cards, but so quickly that no one is able to make out what they were. He's cocky.

Well anyway, in this one game, which is currently in progress, they caught the middle east guy cheating, but the american decided to let him continue because he just wanted to beat him once and for all. It's like they hate eachother so much, it's not enough to just win on a technicality!

What's going to happen? I don't know yet since it's still going. It's on the web too actually. I'll try to find the link for everyone to view it.

I like poker because it's not just a simple game of cards, it's a game of wits and strategy. It's like everything's on the line, your pride, your intelligence, your money, and your name. You could have a full house, but if the other guy bluffs hard enough, you could get scared and think he has something even better, causing you to fold. On the other hand, you could have 4 aces in your hand, think the other guy is bluffing -- bet everything you've got, only to discover your opponent has a straight flush. Then it's ALL over!


Actually here's a status articles about this game, here and here. Also, this site covers it almost on a daily basis, it's usually the first story mentioned.